Gabriel's Grand Entrance

After reading Karrie's story I was inspired to share mine. I had a repeat c-section for my own peace of mind and I'm a firm believer that no one birth experience is better or more natural than another.

I couldn't sleep. I had spent the previous day walking over God's creation and helping Ron to declutter our house. In hindsight we were nesting. I was having contractions but was used to that since I was 39 weeks preggers. Trouble was, these friggin ones were keeping me up which I knew to be a good/bad thing. Good because it was probably real labor, but bad because my scheduled c-section was three days away! I got up to pee for the millionth time and noticed a drip down my leg, oh great I thought to myself "either you're leaking or peed yourself." I got to the bathroom and discovered that it was a slow trickle of blood. HOLY SHIT!! I am freaking at this point. I go wake Ron up and his response is "well what does that mean?" I said to him, "I think I need to go to Labor and Delivery but sleep a bit and I'll wake you up soon." I go downstairs and putter around, contrax get stronger, my bag is packed. Wake Ron up and he's in panic "we gotta call mom! who's gonna watch the kids?" I tell him to calm himself and call his mom and he does. "She can't be here for 45 minutes, " he says "you'll have to take the Volvo and drive yourself. Shit shit shit! The Volvo he speaks of is our 87 Volvo that we refer to as "the tank." I get in and get going, every bump and stop is torture as the contrax are every 5 mins or less. Just to make my life a smidge harder, they're working on the road ON A SUNDAY! As soon as I get by said construction, I must pull over for big friggin contrax!


I finally got to the L&D unit after the ride of hell and they take me back. Bloody show and I'm dilated to 3. Whoa um hello my baby's supposed to be born on Wednesday?? Excuse me? At this point they offer to let me attempt a VBAC or go ahead w/ a c-section but the baby is coming today. Ron gets there FINALLY and he informs me that I must do the c-section. So they begin to prep stuff and Ron gets fascinated by the contraction monitor. I'm still having them of more intensity and he is just riveted. "Wow hon, holy crap that's a big one!" Yeah Ron I know!! Ugh!



The nurse comes back after what seems like forever and announces that the OR is ready! Yippee! Would I like to walk or ride across the hall? I'll walk thanks! Get in and they're getting the spinal prep stuff. Ugh hate this part. This is my 2nd c-section so I'm pretty aware of the procedures. The anesthesiologist is there. I already love this man since I told him that I had a bad reaction to the morphine and he says "oh we'll fix that." They put the drape up, Ron comes in and the tug fest begins. All the while the kind anesthesiologist is talking to me, his voice is soothing as he sounds just like John our family friend from my childhood. I hear the suctions, gurgling and he cries. Sweet lusty cries.



My baby boy, my 3rd child was born at 11:09 a.m. He proved to me that he does things in his own time and when he's ready. He keeps me on my toes with that attitude almost 3 years later. It's hard to believe that soon he'll be three.





If you read this, you deserve a cookie but I have none to give. Instead here's some lovely baby pics of Gabriel Carter Henderson:


August 1, 2004




A Few Days Old

Today

Happy Holidays

Whatever you celebrate. Blessings of the season from our family to yours!

Nothing Like Procrastination...

To kick you in your ass and get you motivated and into the jolly spirit! Well not so much jolly spirit. I need snow and cold, NOT nearly 60 degree weather!

Every year my hubby and I wait till the ever loving last minute to get Xmas together. *sigh* Today I got almost all of the nieces and nephews done and I still have to get something for my hubby and finish up kid stuff.

I think this post is potpourri'ish because I need to empty my mind.

Let's see. I have the baby craving mostly I think because I need a "project." I have thought of going back to work in some capacity but then I get depressed. All I know is that I need to do SOMETHING!

Gabriel is potty training. He's doing pretty well. Pooped (mostly by accident) yesterday on the potty and that's good but also adds to the baby craving.

Dazed and Confused is on right now. Nostalgia much? I used to love to get crazy with my friends and laugh my ass off at this movie and it strikes me that Matthew McConnaughey is pretty much himself the entire movie (see Stoner Wooderson).

Ok Gabriel is attempting to brush teeth. Gotta go!

Gabriel Can Fly!

See?

Skiing, it's Fun...Really...it's Fun...

Oy! My husband is pretty obsessed with skiing. Last January we learned how and natural athlete he is he picked it up just like that. Me on the other hand, well let's just say that a. I hate falling and b. I fell a lot. So I took some lessons and just tried really hard knowing that it's something my husband loves. Well last year I braved the "intermediate" trails. Thought I was doing fine and then BAM! I crash going full speed and somersault landing at an odd and painful angle. I'm pretty freaked out needless to say at the thought of skiing again. It seriously gives me anxiety attacks.

So now skiing is open at our ski resort. Ron wants to go Friday! Ack! I'm trying not to curl into the fetal position and cry but it's hard. I have explained that I'm scared and have even considered not going but stupid me, I love my hubby and want to do things that make him happy.

Well for the record Ron if we ski and I fall you're damn sure taking me museum hopping and you will wait while I read every single informative card about the exhibit!

Now for your viewing pleasure enjoy some video from last season!

A Cup of Holiday Cheer

I need some. The last day or two I feel a funk coming on. Maybe it's PMS but I just feel blah. I am looking forward to the weekend though. My husband is taking our daughter to a production of The Nutcracker. Bella is in her "vallerina" phase and loves all things related to being a ballerina. I'm glad they'll have that time together. Speaking of time together, Gabriel and I just got back from playing at the park together. Bella has school today so it was just us.

I was just reading Kat's blog and her recent post about Christmas memories has me thinking. Much of the traditions that I have for my family stem from things we did when I was a child. An angel sits atop my tree as it did my mom's, we use white lights for EVERYTHING, we listen to Christmas music while decorating etc etc. I love the holidays. I'm glad they're upon us.

I guess I better get shopping eh? Nothing like procrastination....

Long Time No Post!

What can I say besides November has been a super busy month. When I last left you I was preparing for a trip to FL. I went and had a great time. The weather was awesome and I even got to go to the beach!!

After I returned I had to gear up for a girls only weekend in Baltimore with my dear friends Jackie and Jaime. We had a blast, dined on yummy seafood and had a wonderful time together. Here we are at the Light Rail Station:

As soon as I got home I had to get ready for Thanksgiving at my house. I had my family over for dinner and it went GREAT! I cannot believe Christmas is less than 1 month away! ACK!

Well I better keep this short. Time is a precious commodity these days.

Baltimore is NOT Charm City

Being from Baltimore myself I'm pretty ashamed of the city. I went to the Ravens vs. Bengals game Sunday at M&T Bank Field. Now you all know. I'm a huge Bengals fan. I wore #85 w/ pride. I expected the boos and playful insults all in good team rivalry fun. What I didn't expect was the verbal vomit spewed from drunk Ravens fans. It was absolutely ridiculous being accosted by women in the ladies room and also screamed at in front of my dad. I'm a huge jock and overall sports fanatic. I've been to NBA and MLB and had my first foray into NFL. A foray that sadly I doubt I'll go back into. It was too much nastiness to stomach.

Living in a 2 Party House

Oh sometimes it's hard to be me and live in my house.

My husband and I are at opposite ends of the political spectrum and some days like today I feel soo very oppressed.

I'm a staunch liberal although I think I am more close to center vs. far left. My husband on the other hand says he's independent but listens to nothing but Fox News and spouts "O'Reilly-isms" Very frustrating.

Today I bring up elections and he says he might vote. What the hell is up with that? Why not vote? Better to use your vote than waste it is my opinion but what the heck do I know. I take voting ultra serious. I am a grandchild of Filipino immigrants and a woman to boot so it's a privilege I take to heart.

I think I'm disgusted and annoyed by the state of our political arena. The smear and fear, the negativity of it all. What happened to elections being about issues?? When did it turn into "he said this 20 years ago, or "she voted with so and so against this." I'm sick to death of it but am determined not to be dissuaded into casting a vote.

The war is the main issue on my mind. I've read about how we got there and don't get me confused, I support the troops, but I feel we need to get the exit strategy going. Every day is bloodier and bloodier. So that's how I will be basing a majority of my vote.

It pisses me off when people say that we who are opposed to the war are unpatriotic or are somehow against the troops. It's so thoughtless. Don't they get we can support the troops w/o supporting the war?? Ugh.

Basically now that I've ranted. Do your part. Do your research and vote on FACTS not rhetoric.

Peace.